Smarkets Haydock Park Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 2m 30.01s

(5)

Luv U Whatever⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Sebastian Woods⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 76| D

7/2

AW specialist has gained first two turf wins of late over 1m5f at Newbury and 1m4f at Ayr two starts back. Good effort again next when third at Musselburgh despite extra 6lb and likely to make a bold bid again here.

Form: 413613

(1)

Akamanto¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 75

5/2

Made all in successes at Carlisle and Ayr (last time out) this season. Only raised 2lb here so looks sure to go well and stays a bit further so will take some passing.

Form: 4-23121

(2)

Bartholomew J³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 74| D

11/4

Landed a Yarmouth hat-trick when scoring over 1m3½f last time out. Handicap continues to rise but clearly a much improved horse and looks a leading candidate once again here.

Form: 5-53111

(3)

Careyanne^p²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 59| BF| D

5/1

Made all in successes at Brighton and Leicester this season but won't get things her own way here with Akamanto employing the same tactics. Decent effort at Epsom last time but latest 6lb rise may have slowed her progress.

Form: 041213

(6)

Foresee²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Megan Nicholls| T: A W Carroll| OR: 58

13/2

Former Andre Fabre trained gelding had a very disappointing 2017 season for this yard. Recently returned when third of six at Chepstow which was slightly better but will have to improve significantly to feature.

Form: 87500-3

Non-Runners

(4)

Princess Nearco²³

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: L A Mullaney J: Paula Muir

Forecasts

Akamanto (5/2), Bartholomew J (11/4), Luv U Whatever (7/2), Careyanne (5/1), Foresee (13/2), Princess Nearco (13/2)

This could be run at a fierce pace for such a small field with both Akamanto and Careyanne happiest when making the running and Luv U Whatever also capable of the same tactics. BARTHOLOMEW J therefore rates the safest bet of the quartet who look to have the strongest form. Lydia Pearce's four-year-old is versatile tactically and should be able to let the race unfold before picking off his rivals if they indeed go too hard upfront. Akamanto is the most feared and he stays this trip strongly so may be the one who prevails if this becomes a war off attrition. Luv U Whatever is not ruled out either.